Q: You will be 67 in June and you have spent much of your life staying involved in Zebulon community service. What are some of the organizations you’re involved in and what inspires you to keep going?

A: I was born and raised here in Zebulon. I graduated from the James E. Shepherd High School in 1966. My mother worked in the cafeteria at Shepherd, and she also did custodial work. My dad was a police officer – New York, here, and then he moved to Oxford, but it was my grandmother, Viola Winfield, who raised me. I have been involved in Zebulon for a long time – it keeps me young. The reason I like to get involved is that the Zebulon now is not the Zebulon of how it used to be. We were a thriving little town when I was growing up.

We had all kinds of businesses downtown. You didn’t have to leave town to do much. Now, a lot of the businesses are gone and people have to leave town for certain things. It is just not like it used to be. I mean, we are friendly. We are the town of friendly people – that hasn’t changed. And I realize things change and they cannot always stay the same, but the town has not changed for the better. I am so glad we finally got the Boys & Girls Club. Kids would have to leave town to do certain things and now they don’t have to. I was on the board for the Boys & Girls Club. I have run for town commissioner three times. I am a member of Zebulon First Baptist Church. I sing in the choir and I am chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast. We started that about eight years ago. I work with the Food Bank. I deliver meals for Meals on Wheels. I was on the planning board for nine years and I am on the Board of Adjustment now.

Q: But you have retired – isn’t it time you slow down and have someone deliver meals to you?

A: I am retired. I retired from First Citizens Bank in 2009 after working there for 33 years. They gave me a retirement party. I also style hair and have a place on West Barbee Street. I worked in a lot of places when I was growing up: Devil Dog, Wakelon Elementary School, the Council on Aging. I worked for Dr. Massey. But I don’t want to slow down. I like to stay busy. There is just a lot to do.

Q: What inspired you to start a Martin Luther King Jr. observance?

A: Well, I was at this meeting where they were talking about Zebulon turning 100. They asked us if we had any good ideas on things we could do. I told them we should have a Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast and a concert. I thought it would be a good way to get all of the churches together. In fact, I am preparing for the one we are having next year right now. We finish one and begin preparing for the next year.

Q: What else would you like to see in Zebulon?

A: We just need social activities – for people of all ages. I would like to see a place for people to come and play bingo. And we should have an art center and get the kids involved. Have a place where the young people can display their work. We just need to get together and have fun. I have been having a fish fry at my house for a long time for my family and friends. I have people come from all over. They come from Maryland, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. We just need to find ways for people to come together.

Q: How about your husband? Does he find it hard keeping up with you? To what do you attribute your long marriage?

A: My husband (James) knows I like to stay busy. We have been married for 46 years. Marriage is not easy all the time. You need to make sure you visit places together and do things together. You work to make sure you keep each other happy.

Q: In addition to more social activities, what else would you like to see in your hometown?

A: I would like to see more sidewalks. And more development – more neighborhoods for low-income families. I believe if the people get together and want it, we can make things happen. I believe we put God first in our plans. And as long as you have God, you can make anything happen.